ALBANY, N.Y. (April 21, 2008) -- The University at Albany's College of Computing and Information (CCI) will form its first-ever partnership with the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) to launch a new series of Innovation Forums, designed to highlight ways in which information technologies are making a difference in businesses and industries. The inaugural forum will feature UAlbany alumna Kathie Legg, '04, co-founder and executive director of MobileMonday DC, who will discuss "Politics and New Media."

Sponsored by CCI and TechConnex, a CEG Program, the forum will be held Wednesday, April 23 at the D'Ambra Auditorium in the Life Sciences Research Building, uptown campus. The event begins at 4:45 p.m. with networking, followed by the presentation and discussion.

"This new series is intended to encourage people to think about ways in which IT can have a transformational and sometimes disruptive influence on their lives and their activities," said Peter Bloniarz, Dean of the College of Computing and Information. "We hope to emphasize areas that are relevant to the development of the IT industry in Tech Valley, and ones in which UAlbany and the other educational institutions in the area can play a role."

"The Center for Economic Growth values the opportunity to collaborate with University at Albany's College of Computing and Information on programs that engage the information technology community by expanding our knowledge and broadening our horizons," said F. Michael Tucker, President & CEO of the Center for Economic Growth.

TechConnex is dedicated to building and supporting a broad-based information technology community by providing comprehensive connections to technology and professional resources in Tech Valley.

"By focusing on how information technology is changing the ways that Tech Valley businesses and industry compete, the Innovation Forum is a great addition to the portfolio of TechConnex programs and another resource to help our industry grow," said Craig Skevington, President & CEO of Flow Management Technologies, and former chair, TechConnex.

Legg is co-founder and executive director of Mobile-Monday DC, a Washington, D.C. chapter of an international community of mobile technology experts and enthusiasts, and is also a blogger for MOpocket, one of the wireless industry's top blogs. Legg previously served as a political producer at Yahoo!, where she directed Web 2.0 integration and optimization campaigns. Currently Legg is starting up a new mobile division for the Los Angeles Times and is also consulting with the American Association of Political Consultants on new media.

The University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and public service engages 17,000 diverse students in nine schools and colleges, and an honors college. For more information about this internationally ranked institution, visit the University at Albany. Visit UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts.